Ecclesiastes 7:8

8 The end of a matter [is] better than its beginning; {better to be slow to anger than hot-headed}.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof
If the thing is good, other ways the end of it is worse; as the end of wickedness and wicked men, whose beginning is sweet, but the end bitter; yea, are the ways of death, ( Proverbs 5:4 ) ( 16:25 ) ; and so the end of carnal professors and apostates, who begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh, ( Galatians 3:3 ) ( 2 Peter 2:20 2 Peter 2:21 ) ; but the end of good things, and of good men, is better than the beginning; as the end of Job was, both with respect to things temporal and spiritual, ( Job 8:7 ) ( 42:12 ) ; see ( Psalms 37:37 ) ( Matthew 10:22 ) ( Luke 16:25 ) ; [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit;
patience is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and is of great use in the Christian's life, and especially in bearing afflictions, and tends to make men more humble, meek, and quiet; and such are highly esteemed of God; on them he looks, with them he dwells, and to them he gives more grace; when such who are proud, and elated with themselves, their riches or righteousness, are abominable to him; see ( Luke 16:15 ) ( 18:14 ) .

Ecclesiastes 7:8 In-Context

6 Like the sound of thorns under a pot, so also the laughter of fools. This also [is] vanity!

7 Surely oppression makes a fool of the wise, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

8 The end of a matter [is] better than its beginning; {better to be slow to anger than hot-headed}.

9 Do not be quick in your spirit to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

10 Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For [it is] not from wisdom [that] you ask this.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "[one who is] long of spirit [is] better than [one who is] high of spirit"